asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the clerks to the old age pensions sub-committee have been paid their fees in respect of work done by them during the quarter ended 31st December last; and, if not, when will they be paid?

A large number of the accounts have already been paid. The remainder are under examination, and it is hoped that all of them will be disposed of by the 31st instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of old age pensions he estimates will be granted to require for their payment the sum of £8,750,000 which is included in the Civil Service Estimates?

This sum will be sufficient to provide for an average of 697,000 pensioners.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the number of accounts opened in French Rentes (according to a recent Return) was 4,631,857, with an average holding of £191 and in British Consols 144,398, with an average holding of £3,684; whether Irish deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank are now over 10 millions and in trustee savings banks over 2½ millions; and whether, in view of the fact that Irish Land stock, at present prices, yields £3 4s. per cent., the Government, in dealing with the finance of the forthcoming Irish Land Bill, will consider the advisability of issuing land stock in multiples of £10, with a view to encourage Irish depositors and small investors to invest in such stock, and then help to make a larger market for it, give small people a safe investment whilst not increasing the land purchasers' annuity interest beyond 2¾ as at present, and also by removing the difficulties and expense of transferring land stock offer facilities for small investors to take an interest therein?

The figures given in the first part of the question are approximately correct. The suggestion made in the second part of the question has already been before the Government, and has, in common with all the other suggestions which have been made for increasing the popularity of the Stock, and so relieving the burden imposed on the various interests concerned, been given most careful consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability of including in his next Budget the taxation of mining royalties?

I shall be glad to consider this, together with the many other suggestions which have been made to me for raising the money necessary to meet the requirements of the ensuing financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proof of age is required in the case of old age pension claimants in Ireland whose names do not appear either in the Census of 1841 or in that of 1851?

Proof of age lies upon a claimant; and, in the absence of any record of the name in the Census of 1841 or 1851, due consideration is given to any documentary or other evidence which he is able to produce.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for old age pensions have now been granted in Ireland; and how many further claims have been received and are now waiting for adjudication?

The aggregate number of claims granted in Ireland up to the end of February, the latest date to which figures are available, was 185,246. This number includes claims provisionally allowed under Old Age Pensions Regulation 16, although in some cases the pensions would not have actually become payable at that date. It also includes the claims of persons whose pensions ceased, owing to death or disqualification, before that date. The number of claims in hand awaiting adjudication at the end of February was 35,450.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now give any approximate estimate of the amount of dormant balances and unclaimed securities in the hands of the bankers of the United Kingdom; and whether he will consider the expediency of dealing with such moneys and securities in connection with the forthcoming Budget?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The possibility of dealing with such moneys and securities for the benefit of the State has frequently been brought to my notice and has received my consideration, but I do not see my way to take any steps in the direction suggested.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the new Fair Wages Resolution, he will obtain from some of the leading chairmaking firms in High Wycombe a schedule of wages paid by them to different classes of workmen; and, after considering them, will he insert in the forms of tender to be signed by chairmaking firms obtaining contracts with his Department a statement of the wages that contractors will be required to pay?

The policy advocated in the question is one of the methods recommended by the Fair Wages Committee, which will receive consideration from time to time in exceptional cases, but is not specified in the Fair Wages Resolution of the House of Commons. It is not desirable that the Department shall pledge itself to a special course of action in respect of one industry rather than another, but it may be mentioned that the circumstances of the industry in question have not been overlooked in the past by the Admiralty in determining whether particular firms should be admitted or not to the Admiralty list.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the "Dreadnought," "Indomitable," and "Inflexible" were sent abroad after completion to carry out their first gunnery practices instead of carrying them out in home waters; and is it intended to send every ship of their class abroad for this purpose?

The reason for sending these ships abroad for gunnery practice was to save time by avoiding the delay which the winter weather conditions would cause in home waters. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can state the capital cost of that part of the Indo-European telegraph system in Persia which is worked by the department of the India Office; and if he can state the number of messages which passed over these wires via Russia during 1908 from or to places in Russia, from or to places in the United Kingdom, and from the United Kingdom to India and vice versa?

The capital expenditure of the Indo-European Telegraph Department on 31st March, 1908, as given in the Finance and Revenue Accounts of the Government of India for the year 1907–08, was £997,123. This figure comprises the cost of all lines and cables included in the system worked by the Indo-European Government Telegraph Department. The number of messages exchanged in 1907–08 between India and Europe, excluding messages transiting India, was 230,017. No statistics are available for messages between Persia and Russia and between Persia and the United Kingdom.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of the draft South Africa Act; and, if so, can he inform the House what position under the proposed new government it is intended should be occupied by the 150,000. British-Indians domiciled throughout the several South African Colonies; whether their status is to be uniform; and, if so, is it to be raised to that enjoyed by British-Indians in the Cape Colony or reduced to the present level, with its numerous disabilities, of these British subjects in the Transvaal and Natal?

The draft Act has just been laid before Parliament. The effect of the draft on the position of Indians is not altogether clear, and the Secretary of State is corresponding with Lord Selborne on the subject.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he proposes to introduce the promised Bill dealing with. Irish fisheries?

The Vice-President hopes to introduce the Bill which he has in contemplation at the first available opportunity.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) when it is hoped to issue the Eighth Annual Report of his Department covering the year 1907–8?

The Report is in type and will, it is hoped, be ready for presentation in about three weeks.

asked when will the audited accounts of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland, stated last November to have been then in preparation, be ready for independent examination?

The accounts in question have been duly audited, as provided by the Act 7 and 8 Vic, cap. 97, and deposited with the Clerk of the Privy Council in Ireland. This is the only audit provided for.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will ascertain and state the dates in 1907 upon which Captain Gorges, alias Gaudeons, entered Dublin Castle; and in whose employment, suit, and company he was at that time?

There is no record showing that any gentleman of this name was ever in Dublin Castle.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will explain the intentions of the Estates Commissioners or of the Government regarding evicted tenants and representatives of evicted tenants not noted by the Commissioners as suitable for holdings, and thus excluded from the benefit of the Evicted Tenants Act, owing to no legal or moral defect in their claims, but to their greater misfortune consequent upon eviction; whether those persons have been informed that their claims are valid, but, for reasons apart from the merits of the claims, cannot be conceded; if not, what is the motive for withholding from them a plain statement of the decisions affecting them; and whether the next Report of the Commissioners will contain a list of those families and a statement regarding their cases?

In their Special Report dated the 11th June, 1907, which has been presented to Parliament, the Estates Commissioners have explained the principles on which they act in dealing with applications from evicted tenants or their representatives for reinstatement. Persons whose applications are refused for one or other of the reasons detailed in that Report are informed of the ruling of the Commissioners in their cases. The reply to the concluding portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that boards of guardians in Great Britain are continually sending over to Irish unions persons of Irish birth who have become chargeable on their rates; whether he is aware that Irish boards of guardians do not possess similar powers, and are compelled to support persons from all countries who may become inmates of Irish unions; whether his notice has been directed to the num- ber of stowaways that are being landed by ships leaving British ports on the Irish coast, and who often become chargeable to Irish rates; and whether he proposes taking any steps to change the present state of things?

As regards the deportation of paupers, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for West Belfast on the 25th February. I have no official information as to the landing of stowaways on the Irish coast, but I understand that such cases occur from time to time.

asked whether the Estates Commissioners have purchased the Newtown Moynagh property, county Meath, from the Irish Church body for the purpose of dividing into lots for evicted tenants and small holders; whether it is contemplated to give a portion of those lands to a man named John Hughes; and, if so, on what grounds, as he is neither an evicted tenant nor a small-holder resident in the neighbourhood of the property?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that these lands have not yet been vested in them, and that they have not approved of any scheme for their distribution.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can arrange that all the applications to have a fair rent fixed on the Lansdowne estate, which were handed in before 1st March, will be considered by the Sub-Commission which is to sit at Kenmare on 26th March?

The Land Commission inform me that the list of cases for hearing by the Sub-Commission has already been issued to the public, and contains all outstanding cases in which fair rent applications were received by the Commission prior to the 1st February last. In these circumstances, and having regard to the arrangements for other sittings, it would cause serious inconvenience to add to the list as suggested. A number of further applications from this estate have been received since the 1st March.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the number of cases recorded under the heading killing, cutting, or maiming cattle, agrarian and non-agrarian, respectively, in the years 1907 and 1908; what was the number of cattle so maltreated; will he state the names of the owners of the animals in the four cases of cattle-driving in which the cattle were treated with cruelty, with particulars as to dates and districts; what was the number of cases in which compensation was awarded in 1907 and 1908 for malicious injuries to cattle driven; and will he state whether these last-mentioned cases are all included in the statistics under the heading malicious injury to property, irrespectively of the degree of injury inflicted on the animals?

The cases of killing, cutting, or maiming cattle in 1907 and 1908 were as follows:—1907, agrarian 16, non-agrarian 41; 1908, agrarian 22, non-agrarian 58. The number of cattle maltreated was 85 in 1907 and 129 in 1908. In the four cases connected with cattle-driving the names of the owners of the cattle, the dates of the offences, and the counties in which they occurred were as follows:—P. Lyons and P. Kennedy, 1st May, 1908, Clare; Michael Power, 23rd May, 1908, Kerry; G. W. Alley, 4th July, 1908, Westmeath; J. Connor, 29th November, 1908, Roscommon. In 1907 compensation was granted in 10 cases, and in 1908 in 77 cases in which cattle were driven. The 10 cases in 1907 are all included in the statistics under the heading of injury to property. In 12 of the 1908 cases the awards did not amount to £5 each, and the cases were, therefore, treated as petty, and not recorded in the statistics, injuries to property of this nature not being indictable. The cattle in these cases were not maimed or cut in any way. The four cases already enumerated are recorded under the head of killing, cutting, or maiming cattle, and not under that of injury to property.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the fact that, at the Limerick assizes on Monday, four men were indicted for riot and unlawful assembly at Kilfinane on 28th January, that Mr. Justice Dodd reminded the jury who tried the case that the jury system was on its trial, and informed them that to bring in a verdict of not guilty would be finding contrary to the facts of the present case, and that the jury acquitted the accused; and whether in this case the Crown exercised the right of ordering jurors to stand aside?

My attention has been called to a newspaper report of the observations of the learned Judge to the effect stated in the question. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings taken at the Clare Spring Assizes against four men for appearing with firearms, to the terror of His Majesty's subjects; is he aware that the districts in which the occurrences which formed the substance of these charges took place are in a very disturbed condition; that in the Broad-ford district in 1908 there were 70 shots fired in 12 serious cases of intimidation, and that in another district there were eight dwelling-houses fired into during 1908; is he aware that in every case the judge said there was evidence to convict, and that in each case the jury returned a verdict of acquittal; and what further steps does he propose to take to check the criminal use of firearms in county Clare?

My attention has been called to these proceedings. The Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary informs me that the offences for which the men were tried were committed in three different districts. Part of one of these districts is disturbed, twelve serious cases of intimidation having occurred there last year; a second is now quiet, owing to the police measures which have been taken, and the third is improving, no case of firing into a dwelling having occurred there this year. I understand that the judge charged for a conviction in three cases, but expressed no opinion in the fourth. The police will in future, as in the past, take every possible step to detect and suppress the criminal use of firearms.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to acquire the untenanted lands on the Charles O'Farrell estate, Dalystown, Loughrea, with a view of enlarging the small holdings of the tenants on the estate, as well as with a view of providing holdings for the sons of tenants; and will he state approximately as to what time the Commissioners expect to be able to deal with this property?

Formal proceedings have recently been instituted for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners, and it will be dealt with in its order of priority.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the practice of the Estates Commissioners under the Evicted Tenants Act has been, before making any offer, to decide on objections by the owner of the lands without giving him any opportunity of being heard; if he is aware that Lord Justice Holmes has decided, in an appeal at Cavan Assizes, that no offer can be made until the Commissioners have come to a decision on such objection in the first instance; and if, under these circumstances, the Estates Commissioners will now alter their practice and afford the parties interested an opportunity of being heard on their objection before any offer under the Act is made?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that it has not been their practice to decide on objections by the owners of lands which they propose to acquire under the Evicted Tenants Act without giving them an opportunity of being heard. The Commissioners are aware of the decision referred to in the question, and are considering how far it may affect their practice.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners can state how many evicted tenants have been reinstated in county Cork up to date; how many have received free grants and how many have received advances; how many cases still remain to be dealt with; and whether he will impress upon the Commissioners the urgency of reinstating the evicted tenants who are still unprovided for?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that 138 tenants, or representatives of tenants, evicted from holdings in county Cork have been reinstated or provided with other holdings. Both free grants and advances have been made to 37 of these pesons, free grants without advances to 40, and advances without grants to 4. In addition 201 per- sons have been noted as suitable, and will be considered in the allotment of untenanted land. The Commissioners assure me that they are using their best endeavours to effect the reinstatement of evicted tenants.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Carlow Barrow Drainage Committee, protesting against any drainage works being begun in the upper districts which do not include the cleaning up of the river from St. Mullin's to Athy, on account of the injury and hardship which would thereby be inflicted on the inhabitants of the towns of Carlow, Leighlinbridge, and Bagenalstown; whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence of expert witnesses given before the Castletown Commission in support of their protest; and whether, before any grant from the Treasury is given for this purpose, he will insure that the county Carlow shall be safeguarded from all loss and injury thereby?

I have received the resolution referred to in the question, and my attention has also been drawn to the evidence given before the Castletown Commission. In the event of funds being made available for drainage works in the district the representations of the Carlow Committee will receive full consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what was the quota of police for the county of Galway in each of the years 1897, 1900, 1903, and 1906; and if he can state on what date the quota will next be reconsidered and fixed?

The free quota of the Royal Irish Constabulary for the East Riding of county Galway was fixed at 323 in 1897, 311 in 1900 and 1903, and 313 in 1906. The free quota for the West Riding was 304 in 1897, 349 in 1900 and 1903, and 303 in 1906. The next redistribution of the free force will take place in May of this year.

asked if any proposals have been made in reference to the lands of Faha, on the Morrogh Bernard estate, county Kerry; and if any steps have been taken in connection therewith?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the lands referred to are being repurchased by the owner pursuant to Section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on what date the Estates Commissioners informed Mrs. Moriarty, of the Ventry estate, that her claim for reinstatement as an evicted tenant had been allowed; what steps have since been taken to secure her reinstatement; what stage the matter stands in at present; why are proceedings under the compulsory clauses of the Evicted Tenants Act not being gone on with; what is the position of the Congested Districts Board with reference to this case; and when is Mrs. Moriarty to be reinstated?

Mrs. Moriarty, having applied for reinstatement in a farm on the Ventry estate, was informed by the Estates Commissioners in January, 1907, that her name would be considered in the allotment of untenanted land. After the passing of the Evicted Tenants Act the Commissioners published a notice of their intention to acquire the farm in question, but did not proceed further in the matter on learning that the Congested Districts Board was negotiating for the purchase of the estate. If the Board purchase the estate they will require the farm for the enlargement of small holdings and the relief of congestion.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if assistant teachers in Irish national schools must provide their own substitutes at their own expense after one month, if absent continuously through illness; does this rule hold in any other department of the Government service, though there is no other body of civil servants with such small salaries as the Irish assistant teachers; is he aware that in Dublin, where the small salaries press hardest, assistant teachers, contrary to the wishes of their medical advisers, often return to school when practically invalids, because from their salaries they could not provide the necessary attendance, without even considering the provision of a substitute; and whether, seeing that an unexpended balance of £16,000 has been returned to the Treasury by the Commissioners of National Education, he will advise that this sum be sent back to the Commissioners to make some provision for the time of illness of the men, and women too, who occupy the position of assistant teachers in the Irish schools?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that in ordinary national schools for occasional brief absence of teachers owing to illness or other reasonable cause the managers' statement may be accepted, and that in cases of more prolonged illness one month's leave of absence is allowed without stoppage of salary on the production of a doctor's certificate. Should a teacher be absent from duty through illness for more than a month in any calendar year, salary, etc., cannot be paid for the additional period of absence unless a qualified substitute is appointed. A teacher absent on account of illness is responsible for the salary of his substitute, but the Commissioners consider it desirable that it should be defrayed from local sources. Absence owing to illness cannot be sanctioned for more than six months continuously, including vacations, or for more than six months in any calendar year. National teachers do not come under Civil Service regulations. The Commissioners are not aware that assistant teachers in Dublin return to school when practically invalids. The answer to the last paragraph of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners have approved of their inspector's scheme for the distribution of the untenanted land on the Caldbeck estate, Ballacolla, Queen's County; and, if so, can he say whether the land will be available for the spring sowing this year?

The Estates Commissioners have not yet approved of a scheme for the allotment of the untenanted land on this estate, the requirements of the Statute as to title not having yet been complied with.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if the Estates Commissioners have allotted a holding to Mr. Arthur Traynor, of the county Monaghan, as an evicted tenant?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners propose using the untenanted land about being acquired on the Hamilton Stubber estate, Queen's County, for the exclusive purpose of providing holdings for evicted tenants in Queen's County; and can he say whether any portion of the land is to be applied to the enlargement of small holdings in the locality or to the settlement of evicted tenants outside the county?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that proceedings are pending under the Evicted Tenants Act for the acquisition of untenanted land on this estate. The land, if acquired by the Commissioners, will be used for the purposes of that Act.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state what the Estates Commissioners propose to do with reference to the Ballinakill farm in the occupation of Mr. John Cotton, on the estate of Captain Goff, Roscommon; whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Cotton holds several hundred acres of land in other districts, and that his lease of the farm referred to will expire in less than a year, they will divide it up amongst the small uneconomic holders on the estate?

This estate has not yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners, who are not therefore in a position to say what arrangements may be made by them on resale.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Official Return of all accidents in streets, roads, or public places, which have come to the knowledge of the police in England and Wales, caused by motor or horse-drawn vehicles, respectively, resulting in death or personal injury, as promised by him on the 15th June and the 21st October, 1908, is now available; and, if so, will he lay it upon the Table of the House?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 3rd instant to a question of my hon. Friend the Member for the Mansfield Division. I then stated that the Returns had been received in the Home Office, and that I hoped they would be published in three or four weeks' time.

asked the Home Secretary who are the Crown nominees on the Senate of London University; when they were appointed; and whether any of them, receive any salary in any capacity, directly or indirectly, from the University?

The four members of the Senate of the University of London appointed by the King in Council are:— Sir John Wolfe-Barry, K.C.B., F.R.S.; Sir Henry Enfield Roscoe, F.R.S.; the Hon. W. Pember Reeves; and the Right Hon. Sir Francis Mowatt, G.C.B. The first three were appointed on 7th August, 1900, and the last on 12th March, 1903. I am informed by the Senate that Mr. Reeves, receives from the University, out of a grant of £10,000 a year for higher education made to it by the London County Council, £300 a year towards his salary as Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, the balance of the salary being paid by the authorities of that school; and that none of the other three gentlemen are, directly or indirectly, in receipt of any emolument from the University.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number and the cost of the military forces under the control of the Colonial Office and paid for out of Colonial funds, or out of sums charged upon the Colonial Office Vote?

The total number of such forces is 22,498; the cost is £794,328.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that deer forest-owners in the Highland crofting counties shut up for the purpose of sport large areas of land, much of which might be occupied by the people, and made productive for the general welfare of the community, will be consider the expediency of placing a special tax per acre on all such land so long as it is used for sport?

I shall be glad to give consideration to this proposal as-to the other suggestions which have been made to me for raising the money necessary to meet the financial requirements of the year.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. C. H. Palethorpe, who was fined £5 on 26th February by the justices of the peace of King's Heath, near Birmingham, for driving to the danger of the public in High-street, Selly Oak, and to the character of the evidence on which he was convicted, and to the practice which appears to prevail in many courts of accepting police evidence and ignoring that given by civil witnesses; and whether, as it is known that certain inspectors of police have obtained their promotion by the number of convictions and the amount of fines obtained, and having regard to the prejudice which prevails against motorists, he will consider the advisability of making all fines inflicted on motorists payable Lo some central general fund, instead of the proceeds, as at present, going to the County Fund?

I have made inquiry in the case referred to, and I am informed that besides three police officers there was a fourth witness, not a police officer, who gave evidence for the prosecution, and that the defendant admitted driving a motor-car at a speed of 15 to 18 miles an hour in a street where, in the unanimous opinion of the magistrates who heard the evidence, a high rate of speed was dangerous to the public. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I do not believe any police authority has given, or would give, an officer promotion on such grounds as are suggested, and I see no sufficient reason for altering, in respect of motorists, the general law relating to the application of fines imposed by courts of summary jurisdiction.

asked the Postmaster-General if any Post Office official in Ireland is empowered to make Irish store contracts; and, if so, up to what amount; and if he will restore to Ireland the full means they enjoyed until 1908 to make Irish store contracts?

With a few minor exceptions, no official in Ireland was empowered to make Irish store contracts before 1908.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the value of stores earmarked for use in Ireland for which separate tenders have been invited during the year 1908–9; the value of the corresponding contracts placed with Irish firms; and the total difference in cost between the lowest English tenders and the lowest Irish tenders in those cases where contracts have not been allocated to Irish firms?

The value of stores earmarked for use in Ireland, exclusive of uniform clothing for which separate tenders have been invited, in 1908–9 was about £3,312. In the case of stores of the value of £2,573, no Irish tender was received; out of the balance—namely, £739— orders for £417 have gone to Ireland, while in the case of the remaining £322, the lowest Irish tenders were about £100 above the lowest English tenders. Orders for uniform clothing—earmarked for use in Ireland—amounting to £17,002 have been placed in Ireland, although the price is above the English quotations.

asked how many supernumeraries are serving on each of the nucleus-crewed ships now cruising in the North Sea; and what is the proportion of seamen, stokers, and mariners in each of these ships?

The numbers of supernumerary ratings serving on each of the nucleus-crew ships recently cruising in the North Sea, were as follows:—

The proportion of ratings borne to full crew in each of these ship is as follows:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to state whether the recommendations of Lord Farrer's Committee on Post Office Life Insurance have been accepted; and, if so, whether it is proposed to introduce a Bill on the subject during the present Parliament?

I hope before long to be in a position to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware that the postmaster of Belfast, acting on the recommendation of the postal superintendent, refused to allow certain changes of duties, although the officers concerned pleaded to be excused from rising at 4 a.m. owing to their suffering from colds; and whether, considering the inconvenient hours of duty at this office, he will issue instructions that as far as possible all changes be granted?

I find on enquiry that no such reason as that alleged in the question was given as a ground for requesting changes of duties. Changes of duty are granted at Belfast whenever possible on sufficient ground being shown by the officers desiring them.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the case of Mrs. S. Tucker, of Cullompton, Devon, whose claim for an old age pension was sent on appeal to his Board, and concerning which inquiries have been made with the Tiverton Board of Guardians as to whether she had received relief during the disqualifying period, it has been proved that her husband had had, in addition to infirmary treatment under the poor law, 4s. weekly out-relief, which was contributed by the sons and paid only to him and then taken by the guardians while he was in the infirmary; whether he is aware that 11 members of the board of guardians were of the opinion that under the circumstances the woman was a pauper within the meaning of the regulations, and that nine members were of the contrary opinion; and whether he can now state the decision of his Board on the matter?

I have received an appeal in this ease, and I find that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. There was considerable difference of opinion amongst the guardians on the point involved, and I caused the case to be investigated by an Inspector of the Local Government Board. Upon the whole, I have come to the conclusion that the relief may properly be regarded as having been granted for the husband only, and hence I have decided that the wife is not disqualified for a pension.

asked whether in the Excise Bill now before the Bengal Legislative Council statutory provision will be made for the appointment of committees, representing local opinion, to advise as to the number and location of liquor shops in each district or municipal area?

Neither the present Excise Bill, nor the Bill of 1904, provides for the appointment of local advisory committees. In recommending the periodical formation of such committees in the larger towns, the Indian Excise Committee did not contemplate that they should be statutory bodies, as is shown by the fact that they are not provided for in the Excise Bill prepared by the Committee.

asked whether, in accordance with the instructions given to the British Commissioners at the International Opium Conference at Shanghai, namely, to support the gradual suppression of the cultivation, traffic, and use of opium within the eastern possessions of the Powers represented at the conference, it is the intention of the Government of India to carry out this policy in respect of the consumption of opium in India.

The British Commissioners were authorised to co-operate with the other Commissioners in suggesting measures with regard to opium which might be of assistance to the Chinese Government in carrying out their opium policy. The recommendations adopted by the Commission will, when received, be communicated by the Secretary of State: to the Government of India for consideration, so far as they concern India, and for report as to the action to be taken thereon.

asked whether permission has been refused to suffragists imprisoned for taking part in the recent disturbances to see their relatives who have applied to be allowed to visit them; and whether this refusal is in accordance with the usual practice?

The rule is that prisoners in the second division are not allowed any visits until they have been in prison one month, but exceptions can be made to this rule and visits granted for special reasons. There have been several visits granted to suffragists for special reasons, but the general rule holds good.

asked whether the requirements of the Prison Commissioners in 52-inch mail-bag cloth for the coming financial year amount according to their schedule to 550,000 yards; and what proportion of this amount has been ordered from British manufacturers?

I take it that the hon. Member refers to the item of 550,000 yards of 52-inch brown mail-bag canvas which has been mentioned, in the information supplied to tendering firms, as the amount likely to be required for the coming financial year. The contracts for this amount have been placed with four British firms.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether instructions have been or are about to be issued by the Army Council that civilians employed in Government Departments under their control, including Territorial county associations, are to be discharged and replaced by ex-soldiers and pensioners; if so, whether soldiers of the Territorial Army are classed as civilians under this heading; and if the instructions issued by the Army Council in December, 1904, regarding the employment of civilians in Army Departments, will be cancelled as far as Territorial soldiers are concerned?

Nothing is known at the War Office of any proposal to discharge civilian employés and replace them by ex-soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the new Fair Wages Resolution, he will obtain from some of the leading chair-making firms in High Wycombe a schedule of wages paid by them to different classes of workmen; and, after considering these, will he insert in the forms of tender to be signed by chair-making firms obtaining contracts with his Department a statement of the wages that contractors will be required to pay?

The suggestion of the hon. Member goes beyond the Resolution of the 10th instant, and involves the fixing of schedules of wages by the War Office. This is not contemplated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of men serving with the colours in March, 1909, and November, 1905, respectively; the number of the Army Reserve in March, 1909, and November, 1905, respectively; the number of the Army Reserve under the age of 20 in March, 1909; the number serving in the Militia in November, 1905; and the number of officers in the Militia in November, 1905.

, in reply, supplied the following figures:—

asked the Lord Advocate having regard to the fact that the Secretary for Scotland has hitherto failed to provide land for landless cottars and fishermen in the Outer Hebrides until after they have broken the law, will he state whether he proposes to allow the numerous resolutions which he has received from the law-aiding people of the island of Lewis to remain in abeyance until they also have seized the land; and, if not, will he state why he does not endeavour to provide land under the powers of the Congested Districts Board, seeing that the Scottish Land Bill is no longer before the House and has been practically abandoned.

On behalf of my Noble Friend I cannot admit the accuracy of the hon. Member's description of his action or of the present policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to Scottish land legislation, but, as I have already stated in reply to former questions, the Congested Districts Board will lose no opportunity of ascertaining whether any additional land can be advantageously secured in Lewis and elsewhere.

asked the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has received from Mr. Alexander Morison, president of the Lewis Highland Land Law Reform Association, a petition, signed by upwards of 350 cottars, crofters, and others resident in the township of North Tolsta, island of Lewis, urging the formation of new holdings; and, in view of the fact that the Congested Districts Board had a sum of £75,000 at their disposal last summer, will he state what steps it is proposed to take to meet the prayer of the petitioners?

Having regard to the expenditure to which the Board are already committed, both in the Lews and elsewhere, they cannot at present give any undertaking in regard to the new holdings referred to in the petition, which will, however, receive due consideration.

asked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that motor traffic has caused a large increase in the cost of upkeep of roads in the Highland crofting counties and other northern counties in Scotland, will he state what action he proposes to take in the matter, especially having regard to the facts laid before the Secretary for Scotland by a deputation of local authorities and Scottish Members last year?

Following on the deputation referred to and on other representations, my Noble Friend the Secretary for Scotland has obtained from local authorities throughout Scotland information bearing on this subject, which is now under consideration.

asked if the increased pay recommended by the Parliamentary Committee to the auxiliary rural postmen in Ireland has yet been paid; and, if not, when may the men expect to be paid the increase promised and also the back pay due from 1st January, 1908?

The adjustment of wages is in hand, and will probably be completed in a few weeks. The improvements will date from 1st January, 1908. The work in connection with the matter has been very heavy; hence the delay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that cases have occured in the Belfast office in which extra duty punishment, awarded to officers on the recommendation of the postal superintendent, has been subsequently cancelled after the officers concerned have been allowed to see this official's endorsement, he will take into consideration the advisability of giving to all officers charged with an offence permission to see their superior's statement?

I cannot ascertain that there have been any cases of the kind to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the morning letters are delivered in Bushmills, county Antrim, between 10.15 and 10.45 a.m., while the mail for England and Scotland viâ Lame closes at 10.35 a.m., leaving no time for a reply to correspondents in Great Britain by return post; if he is also aware that the English letters arrive in Coleraine, 10 miles off, at 10 a.m., but are not delivered in Bushmills till 2.15 p.m.; and if he could see his way to provide a mail car to deliver these letters about noon and to return after that with the letters now necessarily posted before 10.35, or make some arrangement to remedy the existing inconvenience to the merchants and traders?

I am having inquiry made on the subject, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the refusal by the Great Northern Railway (Ireland) of permission to holders of season tickets between Belfast and Lisburn to travel from Belfast to Lisburn by the 2.20 train on Saturdays, although they are allowed to travel between these stations by this train on other days; and whether he will communicate with the railway company in question on the subject?

I have communicated with the Railway Company and received the following reply:—

"Sir,—I am in receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. (R 2910), enclosing copy Notice of a Question which Mr. Charles Craig proposed to ask the President of the Board of Trade in the House of Commons on 15th inst., and in reply beg to say the 2.20 p.m. train from Belfast is a through express train to Dublin. It calls at Lisburn Station primarily for the purpose of picking up passengers from Portsmouth and Antrim, and on other days than Saturdays the very few passengers who wish to travel by it from Belfast to Lisburn can be accommodated by it without the length of the train being increased, but on Saturdays owing to its being a half holiday the passengers for Lisburn, who on other days leave Belfast between 5 and 6 p.m., leave between 2 o'clock and

2.30 p.m., and to provide for these we have a train leaving Belfast for Lisburn at 2.25 p.m., which is a proper and reasonable provision for this local traffic on Saturdays, and this is so accepted generally by the parties concerned.—I am, Sir, your obedient servant, HENRY PLEWS."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the value of British exports to Norway of raw materials, of coal, and of articles wholly or mainly manufactured during the last three years?

The hon. Member further asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he can state the value of Norwegian exports to Great Britain of raw materials, of coal, and of articles wholly or mainly manufactured during the last three years?

, in reply, presented the following statement showing the value of the raw materials and articles mainly unmanufactured (distinguishing coal, coke and patent fuel), and of the articles wholly or mainly manufactured consigned to the United Kingdom from Norway, and exported from the United Kingdom to Norway in each of the years 1906, 1907, and 1908.